Then you should really try the fileshack.com, it's a lot faster. I mean I download a 200+ Mb patch in less than 15 min. Saves you time and more on gaming.
Anyways on BF2 controls, yeah you have to modify your controls to get more faster reflexes. For crouch I put "C" and for prone I put "X" I pretty much use the same configuration on all my FPS games.
The four icons are:
Starting from left, is the total points designated by the trophy icon, its your overall score of the game. Then the support points designated by a box of ammo, basicall if done something useful or worked and obey command from your commander. Next, is the kill count designated by the crosshair, how much you frag in the game. Finally the death count, designated by the skull, tells you how many times you been tag.
The way I learned fast in the game is just I picked a good player and join his squad. I just follow the player around and observed his/her skills and tactics in the game and learned from it. But I don't really care if I get killed all the time, I more of life a kamekazi style fighting and charge a tank with a grenade. 😀